Province urges patience amid reports of B.C.’s COVID-19 recovery benefit online application crashing

The online applications for B.C.’s COVID-19 recovery benefit of up to $1,000 opened on Friday morning.

Applications are available online here.

The amount you’re eligible to receive will be automatically calculated based on the net income from your 2019 tax return.

1:50 Thousands applying for B.C. Recovery Benefit crash government website

The tax-free benefit provides up to $1,000 for eligible families earning $125,000 dollars or less per year.

The benefit works on a sliding scale with families earning between $125,000 and $175,000 qualifying for a reduced amount.

A $500 payout will also be available for single people making up to $62,500 annually.

The province will open a call centre on Monday.

2:02 British Columbians could get coronavirus benefit by Christmas

British Columbians will have until June 30, 2021 to apply.

A major plank of the BC NDP’s election campaign earlier this fall, the province has said the benefit will help 3.7 million people.

— With files from Richard Zussman